Renovations start at Pontiac's Silverdome, as roof is deflated

PONTIAC — The Silverdome’s roof was deflated Thursday as the stadium’s owners begin renovations on the facility.

“Part of our 2013 plan is to start renovating the building,” said Alex Loewy, events coordinator at the Silverdome.

The stadium’s owner, Triple Investment Group LLC, will begin renovations in the spring and summer, which will include a new roof with solar panels, Loewy said.

Advertisement

“Since the building’s been open, it’s relied on air pressure, so the fans run 24/7 and it’s been an (energy) drain,” Loewy said.“We deflated it not only to save on the energy costs, but in the future, we plan on becoming an energy producer — going green and putting solar panels on the roof.

“We just plan on updating it right now to make it more competitive and a viable option for all different types of events.”

The stadium, completed in 1975 at a cost of $55 million, was sold at auction in 2009 to Andreas Apostolopoulos for $583,000. The Silverdome was home to the Detroit Lions until 2002.